Independent Study Courses for Undergraduate Students

The University offers students the opportunity to engage in independent study with a faculty mentor to pursue interests in topics not available in the regular curriculum. An independent study may be undertaken for 1 to 6 credits. A student may take no more than three Independent Study courses for up to 9 credits in total, which may be applied to their cumulative course credits. These credits are available to any student who has earned 60 credits (or, with permission of the Chair, 30 credits), has a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and has demonstrated significant ability to work independently. The deadline to register for an independent study is the last day of the add/drop period.

Students wishing to register for an Independent Study must first obtain a faculty sponsor. Once a sponsor is acquired, an Independent Study Course Contract is completed by the sponsoring faculty member in consultation with the student. The request is reviewed by the relevant Associate Provost and Vice Provost. After approval the request is then forwarded to the Office of the University Registrar by the student for final registration processing.

In certain, limited circumstances, an independent study for an individual or a group of students replicates a course needed for graduation; such an independent study allows students to complete program requirements even if the course is not available to the students in question as part of the regularly scheduled offerings.

Faculty or staff (only) may initiate the Independent Study Course Contract found on the Registrar Office Forms webpage.